METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING WAVES SUITABLE FOR SURFING USING WAVE-FORMING CAISSONS WITH FLOATING WAVE ATTENUATOR
First Claim
1. A wave generator for a wave pool comprising:
- a caisson associated with a body of water within said wave pool, wherein a column of water within said caisson communicates with said body of water;
a mechanism for introducing air into and out of said caisson which has the effect of causing said column of water to move up and down within said caisson;
a floating attenuator positioned on top of said column of water, wherein said attenuator is adapted to remain substantially in contact with the surface of said column of water as it moves up and down within said caisson; and
a substantially vertically oriented post positioned inside said caisson which is extended through a hole in said attenuator, wherein the association between said hole and said post helps to keep said attenuator in a substantially horizontal orientation as it travels up and down within said caisson.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wave generator for a wave pool with a floating attenuator housed within a caisson compartment that has mass, density and weight characteristics that enable it to remain substantially in contact with the top surface of the water in the compartment. Additional mechanisms are provided which help to keep the attenuator in a substantially horizontal orientation within the caisson, such that unwanted wave motions and water movements within the caisson compartment can be substantially reduced or eliminated. These mechanisms include the adaptation of a vertical post within the compartment and cable and pulley systems that are designed to help control the up and down movement of the attenuator as it travels up and down within the compartment.
4 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A wave generator for a wave pool comprising:
-
a caisson associated with a body of water within said wave pool, wherein a column of water within said caisson communicates with said body of water; a mechanism for introducing air into and out of said caisson which has the effect of causing said column of water to move up and down within said caisson; a floating attenuator positioned on top of said column of water, wherein said attenuator is adapted to remain substantially in contact with the surface of said column of water as it moves up and down within said caisson; and a substantially vertically oriented post positioned inside said caisson which is extended through a hole in said attenuator, wherein the association between said hole and said post helps to keep said attenuator in a substantially horizontal orientation as it travels up and down within said caisson. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A wave generator for a wave pool comprising:
-
a caisson associated with a body of water within said wave pool, wherein a column of water positioned within said caisson communicates with said body of water; a mechanism for introducing air into and out of said caisson which has the effect of causing said column of water to move up and down within said caisson; a floating attenuator positioned on top of said column of water, wherein said attenuator is adapted to remain substantially in contact with the surface of said column of water as it moves up and down within said caisson; and a cable and pulley system with at least one cable attached to said attenuator and at least one pulley attached to said caisson which can help keep said attenuator in a substantially horizontal orientation as it travels up and down within said caisson. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A wave generator for a wave pool comprising:
-
a caisson associated with a body of water within said wave pool, wherein a column of water positioned within said caisson communicates with said body of water; a mechanism for introducing air into and out of said caisson which has the effect of causing said column of water to move up and down within said caisson; and a floating attenuator positioned on top of said column of water, wherein said attenuator is buoyant and has sufficient mass, density and weight to enable a bottom surface of said attenuator to remain substantially in full contact with the top surface of said column of water as it moves up and down within said caisson. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification